Michael Anning, defending, said: “Joel Watts knows he faces a custodial sentence today. I acknowledge, as does he, that this is a serious offence.”

But arguing that the sentence ‘can be reduced from what offences of this type can attract,’ he handed in a photograph showing the injury Mr Garnett’s punch had caused to his eye.

And he pointed out: “This was not a targeted attack, it was a chance meeting between people who knew each-other, and the reason they knew each-other was because they both had experience of taking drugs.

“He was punched first, but he responded and the two men had a fight. I accept the injuries to the complainant were caused with a knife. That’s the difference between the two of them.

“There was no serious harm, although for a matter of seconds there was the intent.”

Jailing Watts, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano told him: “On March 2 you got into an argument with Clifford Garnett.

“The really big mistake you made was to have a knife in your hand. When he saw it he punched you, and there was a scuffle during which he was stabbed in his face.

“Very, very fortunately for him, and for you, the laceration was a superficial one.

“But if you carry a knife, and whatever your intention, you take the risk that injuries will be caused.”